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Residents press for transparency, cite social-media blocks and recall efforts in heated public comments
Summary
During citizen business on Jan. 13, numerous residents told the Purcellville council they lack trust in the majority, alleged the mayor blocked constituents on an official social-media page, and urged appointments and recalls; residents cited past agenda removals and requested stronger transparency and staff accountability.
A prolonged citizen-comment period at the Jan. 13 Purcellville Town Council meeting centered on distrust of the council majority, allegations about the mayors use of official social media, and calls for greater transparency and personnel changes.
Multiple speakers urged the council to appoint Sarah LaBrania as police chief and criticized the majority for what they described as a pattern of decisions that sideline staff and restrict public engagement. Erica Stout said she had submitted a letter to a special prosecutor alleging that the mayor had blocked multiple constituents from his official Facebook page and urged legal review; she cited case law on such blocking by public officials.
Josh Shields and others warned that they would pursue legal remedies if access were not restored and criticized the councils conduct. Several speakers asked why a Department of Justice-related item had been removed from the agenda and suggested the removal itself was inappropriate.
Other commenters criticized the council for personnel decisions, alleged improper management and called on the interim town manager to be placed on unpaid administrative leave. Council members responded with a mix of acknowledgments, defenses and repeated reminders of meeting decorum. The mayor and some council members said they sought to cover the towns business and noted the need for civility, while others pledged to follow up on the procedural and legal questions raised by residents.
The public comments reflected deep community concern about town governance; council members later moved into closed session on personnel and legal matters.
